1979 NCAA Division II men's ice hockey tournament

The 1979 NCAA Men's Division II Ice Hockey Tournament involved 4 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division II college ice hockey. A total of 4 games were played, hosted by Merrimack College.

1979 NCAA Division II men's
ice hockey tournament
Teams4
Finals site
ChampionsLowell Chiefs (1st title)
Runner-upMankato State Mavericks (1st title game)
Semifinalists
Winning coachBill Riley Jr. (1st title)
MOPCraig MacTavish (Lowell)
Attendance3,012

The University of Lowell, coached by Bill Riley, won the national title with a 6-4 victory in the final game over Mankato State.

Craig MacTavish, of the University of Lowell, was named the Most Outstanding Player and was the high scorer of the tournament with six points (4 goals, 2 assists).

Qualifying teams

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Due to the lack of conferences and tournaments for western schools the NCAA held a regional tournament to help select teams for the national tournament. The western regional tournament is not considered as part of the NCAA championship but is included here for reference. No automatic bids were offered.

Western Championship Tournament

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Regional semifinals Regional final
  Mankato State 4*
  Mankato State 4   Illinois–Chicago 4
  St. Cloud State 3

National Tournament Teams

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Team Record
Illinois–Chicago 16–11–1
Lowell 25–6–0
Mankato State 24–11–1
Salem State 23–9–1

Bracket

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National semifinals
March 15–16
National championship
March 17
      
  Mankato State 5
  Salem State 3
  Mankato State 4
  Lowell 6
  Lowell 10
  Illinois-Chicago 6 Third place
  Salem State 3
  Illinois-Chicago 4*

Note: * denotes overtime period(s)

  • G: Brian Doyle (University of Lowell)
  • D: Mike Weinkauf (Mankato State)
  • D: Mike O'Connor (University of Lowell)
  • F: Rob Feenie (Illinois-Chicago)
  • F: Craig MacTavish (University of Lowell)
  • F: Tom Jacobs (University of Lowell)
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  • "NCAA Record Book" (PDF). NCAA. Retrieved April 14, 2016.